Method and system for Web-based asset management

ABSTRACT

The method and system of the present invention provides an improved technique for replacing, implementing and managing computer-related assets. A technician accesses the World Wide Web through a user&#39;s computer. The information resident on the computer, including information regarding the computer and the user&#39;s preferences, are downloaded to a remote storage medium through the World Wide Web. Once downloaded, all information may be removed from the user&#39;s computer. Subsequently, the technician accesses another computer such as, for example, a new computer that has been assigned to the same user. The technician accesses the World Wide Web through the new computer and downloads the information previously stored on the remote storage medium. This information can then be used to install the user&#39;s prior applications, settings and preferences on the new computer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of, and incorporates byreference in its entirety, application Ser. No. 10/321,115, filed Dec.17, 2002, now allowed. This application claims priority from andincorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application No.60/342,031 filed on Dec. 18, 2001 in the names of Shawn Thomas, GregoryGray, Michael Woodfin, Warner Mizell and Brian Thomas, entitled “Methodand System for Deploying, Tracking and Managing Technology-RelatedResources.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a method and systemfor managing assets with technology that utilizes the World Wide Web.More particularly, the present invention provides a means fordownloading information from a user's computer through the World WideWeb to a remote storage medium. The information can subsequently be usedto integrate disparate systems, aggregate information regarding acompany's assets, and perform other asset management functions. Theinformation can also be uploaded from the remote storage medium to analternate computer, for example after the user receives a new computer.The information that has been uploaded can be used to reinstallsoftware, preferences and user settings on the new computer.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Computer-related technology is advancing at a remarkable rate.New technologies are being introduced daily that add new functionalityor features to pre-existing technology. As these new technologies areintroduced, the prices of devices that incorporate those technologiesdrop. As prices drop, more and more users are upgrading systems andadding new devices. Consequently, sales of computer-related devices arecurrently at an all-time high.

[0006] This trend most heavily impacts corporations with largeinvestments in computer-related assets. However, the decision to upgradeto a new system is often only the beginning of the process. Once a newsystem has been selected and funds have been allocated for theacquisition, the questions remains of how best to replace, implement andmanage the new assets. A poor or improper implementation can beextremely costly and disrupt an entire organization. Moreover, there isa strong trend in the industry currently towards paying fees for assetmanagement on a per asset per month basis. Legacy systems are poorlyequipped to accommodate such pricing models. A need exists, therefore,for an improved system and method for replacing, implementing andmanaging computer-related assets.

[0007] Existing systems and methods exist for replacing oldcomputer-related assets. Typically, a computer technician would accessthe existing asset and make either handwritten notes of the user'ssetting and preferences or input the information into a computer andsave it to a diskette. The technician would then download theinformation on the device's drive onto a portable medium. This processcan take a considerable amount of time, is prone to technician error andresults in a high labor cost due to the higher rates paid to computertechnicians over general office laborers.

[0008] Existing methods are further limited because the information thatis collected is not collected in such a manner that it can be compiled,managed and updated in the future. Under existing methods, once thecomputer technician re-installs the information on a new machine, hedestroys any records that he may have kept relating, for example, to thespecific versions of software installed, the serial number of thecomputer on which it was installed or the date of installation and, ifthe information is saved, it is usually not accessible in an organized,easily-accessible manner. Consequently, when the new machine is ready tobe upgraded, relocated or decommissioned, the computer technician muststart anew to gather information about it and the user's settings andpreferences.

[0009] There is a need, therefore, for an improved method and system forreplacing, implementing and managing computer-related assets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention addresses the need for an improved methodand system for replacing, implementing and managing computer-relatedassets. The present invention provides a method of asset management inwhich a technician accesses the World Wide Web through a user'scomputer. The information resident on the computer, includinginformation regarding the computer and the user's preferences, isdownloaded to a remote storage medium through the World Wide Web. Oncethe information is downloaded, all information may be removed from theuser's computer. Subsequently, the technician accesses another computersuch as, for example, a new computer that has been assigned to the sameuser. The technician accesses the World Wide Web through the newcomputer and downloads the information previously stored on the remotestorage medium. This information can then be used to install the user'sprior applications, settings and preferences on the new computer.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method for asset managementin which information that is downloaded from a user's computer at thetime that a computer is installed or relocated is retained in acentralized database. Thereafter, the information can be accessed,modified and updated throughout the life of the computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The disclosed invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments of theinvention and which are incorporated in the specification hereof byreference, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a typical asset deployment workflowprocess;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a workflow diagram showing the preferred method forasset management according to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing the preferred system for assetmanagement;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a typical screen display used in the preferred methodfor asset management showing how a technician is prompted for locationinformation;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a typical screen display used in the preferred methodfor asset management showing how a technician is prompted for userinformation;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a typical screen display used in the preferred methodfor asset management showing how a technician is prompted for legacyasset information;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a typical screen display used in the preferred methodfor asset management showing how a technician is prompted forapplication information; and

[0020]FIG. 8 is a typical screen display used in the preferred methodfor asset management showing how a technician is prompted for new assetinformation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The numerous innovative teachings of the present application willbe described with particular reference to the presently preferredexemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that theseembodiments provide only a few examples of the many advantageous uses ofthe innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in thespecification of the present application do not necessarily delimit anyof the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may applyto some inventive features, but not to others.

[0022] A typical asset deployment work flow is illustrated in FIG. 1.Typically, a technician would begin by accessing the originalcomputer-related hardware device. He would download all data to portablemedia 101. For example, the technician may download all data to aCD-ROM, tape drive or another attached portable hard drive. Thereafter,the technician would perform a visual inspection of the device andrecord information concerning the device 102 obtained, including suchinformation as the software applications installed on the machine, theserial number of the machine, the hardware attached to the machine, andother information concerning the type and nature of the user'sequipment. The technician will next record user preferences and settings103. This information may include the user's bookmarks, recordedpasswords, and other information specific to the individual user. Oncethe information has been obtained and recorded, the technician willproceed to erase all data on the device 104. The original device is thenready for disposition.

[0023] Either the same or a new technician will be responsible forinstalling the user's information on a new device. Once again referringto FIG. 1, the technician will begin by installing the information onthe device from the portable media 110. Once the information has beeninstalled, the technician will proceed to update the user's settings andpreferences 111. The technician will then inspect the device todetermine identifying information 112 such as the device's serial numberand the software installed. Thereafter, the technician will create amanual report 113 of all activities related to the user's devices. Theprocess undertaken by the technician is cumbersome due to the slowspeeds at which data is transferred from the device to the portablemedia. In addition, the process is costly because an experiencedcomputer technician is needed to transfer the files and update theuser's settings and preferences. Moreover, there is a risk that theinformation stored on the portable media may be lost while beingtransported.

[0024] A preferred method for asset management is shown in FIG. 2. Thework flow is a highly generalized overview of non-industry specificdeployment and does not take into account such activities as futureasset management, integration of disparate systems, data assimilationand the like, all of which may be performed as part of this invention.The method commences when a technician accesses the World Wide Web 201through the user's computer-related hardware device such as a desktopcomputer, laptop computer, hand-held computer, printer, scanner,networking device or storage device. The technician can access the WorldWide Web 201 through the internet, a local area network, or othermethods known in the art. Once the technician has access to the WorldWide Web, he proceeds to upload all information from the device to aremote storage medium 202. The information may be transferred through asecure, encrypted transmission so as to protect the confidentiality ofthe information. Additionally, the information may be converted toformatted data files prior to transmission for ease of storage andtransfer. The information transferred contains information regarding theuser's preferences and settings and the user's overall equipmentconfiguration. Once the information has been uploaded by the technician,the technician can erase all data 203 residing on the device. The devicemay then be disposed of without further activity.

[0025] The same or a new technician can then install the information onthe new device. The technician will proceed by first accessing the WorldWide Web 210 to access the remote storage medium on which the user'sinformation is stored. The information may be stored on the remotestorage medium in a database, such as a relational database. Inaddition, the technician will next download all information relating tothe user from the remote storage medium 211. This process may include,for example, a filter so that unwanted or redundant files will not betransferred. Once the information has been downloaded to the new devicethe system can automatically update user settings and preferences 212.

[0026] The improved process described in FIG. 2 has a number ofadvantages over the prior art. For example, the transfer of informationoccurs rapidly so that the transfer of data to the new device can occuron a real time basis. In addition, because the information is held inelectronic form, a wide variety of reports can be generated relating tothe information resident on the user's computer. Also, because softwareis being installed electronically, a means exists for monitoring,updating and controlling versions of software resident on the device.Another benefit is the ability to translate information beingtransmitted between devices into a common language.

[0027] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that certaininformation regarding a user's settings, preferences or equipment maynot be included within the information transmitted to the remote storagemedium and therefore may not be available to update the new device. Insuch cases, it is anticipated that, as part of the present invention, acombination of the foregoing Web-based asset management and traditionaltechniques for updating user's settings, preferences and equipment listwould be used. For example, when information is downloaded from theremote storage medium 211, a method may be employed whereby the deviceassesses what information it requires has not been downloaded.Thereafter, the device would be programmed to prompt the user to providesuch information.

[0028] A system for Web-based asset management is shown in FIG. 3. Thesystem preferably comprises an original device 301, a remote storagemedium 302 and a new device 303. The original device 301 and the newdevice 303 both have access to the World Wide Web. The system describedherein provides a means for transferring information from the originaldevice through the World Wide Web to a remote storage medium 310. Inaddition, the system provides a means 311 for transferring informationfrom the remote storage medium to a new device through the World WideWeb. As has been previously described, the transfer of information fromthe original device through the remote storage medium to the new deviceis completed once the user's preferences and profile settings have beencompleted.

[0029]FIG. 4 depicts a meeting display showing how a technician may beprompted to input information regarding the location in which theequipment exists. Basic information is included on the form such as, forexample, site contact and phone number, language predominantly spoken atthe site, and the name of the representative who performed the survey.The input of this information provides a valuable resource within theoverall method and system because future users can refer back to theinformation when subsequent visits are planned.

[0030]FIG. 5 presents a screen display showing how a technician may beprompted to input information regarding the device's user. Theinformation to be input will include such information as first name,last name, user ID and email address. This information can be used bythe system for validating the user's name and access authority.

[0031]FIG. 6 depicts a screen display that may be accessed by thetechnician for the purpose of inputting legacy asset information. Thescreen display prompts the technician to input such information as theasset type, manufacturer, model, serial number and peripherals. Thisinformation is critical to the system for the future configuration ofthe user's devices.

[0032]FIG. 7 shows a screen display that may be used to prompt atechnician to input information regarding the existing applications on auser's device. The display will first prompt a technician to input auser name and the machine name. The program will then automaticallydiscover the applications on the device, a procedure which is known inthe art. Once the information is obtained, it is combined with the username and machine name previously entered.

[0033]FIG. 8 provides a depiction of a screen display in which atechnician may be prompted to input information regarding the new asset.Information that may be requested includes the scheduled installationdate, the new asset source, the new work station type and the locationof the new asset.

We claim:
 1. A method for asset management utilizing the World Wide Web, comprising: Accessing the World Wide Web using a user's computer-related hardware device; transferring information from said computer-related hardware device through said World Wide Web to a remote storage medium; transferring said information from said remote storage medium to a new computer-related hardware device; and using said information from said computer-related hardware device on said new computer-related hardware device to update said user's settings on said new computer-related hardware device.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer-related hardware device is selected from the group consisting of desktop computers, laptop computers, handheld computers, printers, scanners, networking devices and storage devices.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the method of accessing said World Wide Web is over the Internet.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the method of accessing said World Wide Web is through a local area network.
 5. The method of claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said method of accessing said World Wide Web incorporates secure, encrypted transmission.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said information is converted to formatted data files for ease of storage and transfer prior to said transmission to said new computer-related hardware device.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said information is stored on said remote storage medium in a relational database.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said information is continuously updated on a real-time basis.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said method includes means for generating a report of said information after said user's new computer-related hardware device has been updated.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said means for transferring information from said computer-related hardware device through said World Wide Web to said remote storage medium includes a method for filtering unwanted or redundant information.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said updating of said user's settings consists of the steps of: inputting said user's settings from information that is available on said remote storage medium; assessing which of said settings were not included on said remote storage medium; and prompting said user to provide information regarding those settings that were not included on said remote storage medium.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said method has the ability to monitor, update and control versions of software resident on said computer-related hardware device.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said method provides a means for translating said information into a common language.
 14. A system for asset management utilizing the World Wide Web, comprising: a user's computer-related hardware device, said computer-related hardware device having access to the World Wide Web; a new-computer-related hardware device for said user, said new computer-related hardware device having access to the World Wide Web; means for transferring information from said computer-related hardware device through said World Wide Web to a remote storage medium; means for transferring said information from said remote storage medium to said new computer-related hardware device; and means for using said information from said computer-related hardware device on said new computer-related hardware device to update said user's settings on said new computer-related hardware device.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said computer-related hardware device is selected from the group consisting of desktop computers, laptop computers, handheld computers, printers, scanners, networking devices and storage devices.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the method of accessing said World Wide Web is over the Internet.
 17. The system of claim 14 wherein the method of accessing said World Wide Web is through a local area network.
 18. The system of claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said method of accessing said World Wide Web incorporates secure, encrypted transmission.
 19. The system of claim 14 wherein said information is converted to formatted data files for ease of storage and transfer prior to said transmission to said new computer-related hardware device.
 20. The system of claim 14 wherein said information is stored on said remote storage medium in a relational database.
 21. The system of claim 14 wherein said information is continuously updated on a real-time basis.
 22. The system of claim 14 wherein said system includes means for generating a report of said information after said new computer-related hardware device has been updated.
 23. The system of claim 14 wherein said means for transferring information from said computer-related hardware device through said World Wide Web to said remote storage medium includes a method for filtering unwanted or redundant information.
 24. The system of claim 14 wherein said updating of said user's settings consists of the steps of: inputting said user's settings from information that is available on said remote storage medium; assessing which of said user's settings were not included on said remote storage medium; and prompting said user to provide information regarding those settings that were not included on said remote storage medium.
 25. A method for asset management using the World Wide Web, comprising: accessing the World Wide Web through a series of computer-related hardware devices connected to a network; transferring information regarding each computer-related hardware device in said series of computer-related hardware devices to a remote storage medium; compiling information related to said series of computer-related hardware devices derived from said information residing on said remote storage medium; and preparing and disseminating reports compiled from said information.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein said computer-related hardware devices are selected from the group consisting of desktop computers, laptop computers, handheld computers, printers, scanners, networking devices and storage devices.
 27. The method of claim 25 wherein the method of accessing said World Wide Web is over the Internet.
 28. The method of claim 25 wherein the method of accessing said World Wide Web is through a local area network.
 29. The method of claim 27 or claim 28 wherein said method of accessing to said World Wide Web incorporates secure, encrypted transmission.
 30. The method of claim 25 wherein said information is converted to formatted data files for ease of storage and transfer prior to said transmission to said new computer-related hardware device.
 31. The method of claim 25 wherein said information is stored on said remote storage medium in a relational database.
 32. The method of claim 25 wherein said information is continuously updated on a real-time basis.
 33. The method of claim 25 wherein said means for transferring information from said computer-related hardware device through said World Wide Web to said remote storage medium includes a method for filtering unwanted or redundant information.
 34. The method of claim 25 wherein said method has the ability to monitor, update and control versions of software resident on said computer-related hardware device.
 35. The method of claim 25 wherein said method provides a means for translating said information into a common language. 